Machine for forming decorative articles



Dec. 13, 1966 R GR|K|S MACHINE FOR FORMING DECORATIVE ARTICLES 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1964 ;|l IHHIH llllllllllllll Dec. 13,1966 R. GRlKlS 3,291,352

MACHINE FOR FORMING DECORATIVE ARTICLES Filed OOb. 21, 1.964 5Sheets-Sheet 2 a a Wm Dec. 13, 1966 GRIK|5 3,291,352

MACHINE FOR FORMING DECORATIVE ARTICLES Filed Oct. 21, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 5 ,/'.'/:""'L r I inf? 3,291,352 Patented Dec. 13, 19663,291,352 MACHENE FOR FQRMING DECORATIVE ARTICLES Raimonds Grikis,Chicago, Ill., assignor to CPS Industries, End, a corporation ofDelaware Filed Oct. 21, 1964, Ser. No. 495,484 11 Claims. (Cl. 223-46)This invention relates to mechanical devices adapted for formingdecorative articles. More particularly, this invention pertains to newand improved machines adapted for forming decorative bows comprisingsuperimposed loops of strip material, such as ribbon, tape or the like.

There is a continuing and apparently growing demand for pre-formeddecorative articles, such as bows, formed of ribbon or similarmaterials. Such articles have found wide acceptance and use byindividual consumers for various decorative purposes, such as inadorning gift packages, as well as in the commercial sales field wherethey may serve as embellishments on various items. However, toaccommodate this demand and its growth, it is necessary to produce suchdecorative articles in various designs at reasonable prices. This givesrise to concomitant requirements for machines capable of rapidly andeconomically producing decorative bows. Such machines should be capableof producing articles of a styled, distinctive or individualisticappearance such as is usually associated with bows formed by hand byskilled persons, and preferably in designs not previously provided on asatisfactory mass production basis. However, these machines also shouldbe economical to produce, and simple to operate so that even anunskilled person can consistently and rapidly produce the desired typesof articles in completed, ready-to-use form.

One simple bow form which apparently finds ready acceptance in the tradecomprises one or more sets of basic folds or loops of ribbon, preferablywith loops of varying length, arranged in superimposed pyramid form.Various machines have been proposed for forming this general type ofbow, including machines with two sets of fingers having relativeinterdigital movement, either in a linear or an arcuate path, forforming lengths of ribbon into simple superimposed loops to fabricatesuch articles. However, such previous machines have evidenced one ormore shortcomings such as being difficult and expensive to fabricate andoperate, producing bows with undesirable lengths or tails of ribbon,being inflexible and not readily adaptable to the formation of bows ofvarious styles and sizes from ribbon of various widths, producing bowshaving an unfinished or semi-finished appearance, and/or not includingconvenient means for securing the formed loops into a completefabricated article.

It is an object of this invention to provide new and improvedbow-forrning machines overcoming the aforenoted shortcomings and meetingthe above-mentioned requirements.

It will be appreciated, particularly by those skilled in this art thatthe foregoing is applicable in most respects to both automatic andsemi-automatic machines, and that certain basic features of thisinvention have general application to such various types of machines. Atthe same time, it is a further object of this invention to fulfillanother facet of the general demand for bow-forming machines as noted,and this is a demand for small, simple, inexpensive, semi-automaticmachines adapted for consistent, mechanized formation of preformeddecorative articles, for instance at the point of sale or in giftwrapping departments of retail stores.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved machines forforming ribbon bows including two or more simple loops of ribbon.

It is another object of this invention to provide machines for simplyand inexpensively forming ribbon bows of distinctive, finishedappearance.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved machines forconveniently and economically forming completed decorative articles ofsuperimposed loops of ribbon.

It is another object of this invention to provide improved bow-formingmachines meeting the aforementioned objects and which are of simplerugged construction, being economical to produce, and which are simpleto operate.

Further and additional objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the drawings, thefollowing description and the appended claims.

In carrying out this invention in one illustrative form, a machine isprovided comprising means for supporting a supply of ribbon, a first setof fingers mounted on the machine frame, a movable set of fingersmounted for revolution, in interdigital relation with said firstfingers, from one side of said first fingers to the opposite side ofsaid fingers for forming loops of ribbon engaged between said sets offingers, means adjacent said fi st fingers and within the arc ofmovement of said movable fingers for gripping the lead end of a lengthof ribbon from which such bow is to be formed and being rotatable toform the leading end portion of such ribbon into a closed loop, andsecuring means cooperative with said gripping means for securing suchloops together to form a decorative article.

For a more complete understanding of this invention reference should nowbe had to the example illustrated in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine employing teachings of thisinvention;

FiG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the machine of FIG. 1, asadjusted for making smaller bows, and with the stapler removed;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of the loop forming mechanism of themachine as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FiG. 2and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 (sheet 3) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the centerspindle of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 (sheet 3) is an enlarged end view of the center spindle of themachine of FIG. 1, with the open position of the clamp shaft shown bythe dashed line;

FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevational veiw of the machine of FIG. 1with the drive arm in the starting position and ribbon threaded into themachine preparatory to forming a bow;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, after the loops of the how areformed and with the stapler in position to secure the loops together;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a completed decorative article formed onthe machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of another modification of a centerspindle assembly for use in machines as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the ring-gear and movable arm of theassembly of FIG. 10; lG. 12 is a right end view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of another modification of abow-forming machine employing teachings of this invention; and

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the loop-bearing mechanism of themachine in FIG. 13.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3,the illustrated embodiment of the machine it) includes a base or framemember 12 on which is mounted a ribbon spool support 14, a ribbon guide16, a loop-forming mechanism 18 and a stapler 2i).

The support 14 includes an upright member 22 suitably securing to thebase 12, as by spot welding, and a spool engaging element 24. Theillustrated element 24 is a piece of fiat sheet metal having notches 26and 28 of various widths formed along one edge to form a retainingsupport or a guide for ribbon spools of various widths. The guide 16also includes an upright stand portion 30 suitably secured to the base12, and a U-shaped element 32 having a pair of guide arms 34 extendingtransversely of stand 30, across the path of ribbon travel through themachine from a spool on support 14 to mechanism 18, see FIG. 7. A guidepin 36 is secured to stand and extends from the bight portion of theelement 32 between and parallel to the arms 34. Each arm 34 is formedwith notches 38 and 39, of different widths, in its upper and loweredges, respectively. These notches serve as lateral guides for ribbon ofvarious widths, e.g., 1% or /1, which is threaded through the respectivenotches and around the opposite side of pin 36, see FIGS. 7 and 8.

The loop-forming mechanism 18 includes a pair of fingers 40 and 42alfixed to the upper ends of arms 44 and 46 of a stand 48 adjustablysecured to the frame 12. This adjustable securement is obtained byproviding a stud 50 fixed to the frame 12 and a thumbscrew 52 whichengages a female screw (not shown), in frame 12, together with a seriesof cooperating, spaced openings 54 in the bottom flange 48a of member48, Fingers 40 and 42 may be adjusted longitudinally of frame 12 formaking bows of different sizes, as will be later described, by removingthumbscrew 52, then moving stand 48 to bring a different pair ofopenings 54 into registry with the stud 50 and the socket for thumbscrew52, then replacing the thumbscrew.

Mechanism 18 also includes a U-shaped support 56 which is fixed to frame12 and supports a rotatable spindle 58, a rotatable drive arm 60, andgears 62a, 62b, 620 (see FIG. 3) for driving the spindle assembly inresponse to rotation of the arm 60. Referring particularly to FIG. 5,the spindle 58 includes an arbor 64 journaled in the two upstanding legs56a and 56b of support 56, and a clamp shaft 66 journaled within thearbor and having a lost motion connection therewith. In the illustratedembodiment, this lost motion connection is by means of a transverse pin68 closely fitting a corresponding opening 70 in the clamp shaft 66 andengaging enlarged openings 72 in the arbor 64.

The drive arm 60 is secured to a drive shaft 74 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) thatis rotatably supported on legs 56a and 56b beneath arbor 64 and offsetslightly towards fingers 40 and 42, relative to the axis of arbor 64,for purposes to be described. Arm 60 includes a curved portion 60a (FIG.4) of appropriate configuration to extend around arbor 64 when pivotedto the position illustrated in FIGS. 14, and a straight portion 60bhaving openings 78 at appropriate spacings to receive fingers 80 and 82in positions to intermesh or interdigitate with fingers 40 and 42 (seeFIG. 7) at the various settings of stand 48 provided by openings 54.Fingers 80 and 82 may be attached by thumb-screws 84 for readyadjustment to various openings in arm 60.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, gear 62a is drive-connected to shaft 74 andmeshes with an idler gear 62b supported on leg 56b, and ildler 62bmeshes with gear 620 secured to arbor 64 (FIG. 5) to rotate the spindle58 in response to movement of arm 60 from the position illustrated inFIG. 7 to the position illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and 6, an arc of about180 or slightly greater, and the gear ratios are appropriate (2:1) toturn arbor 64 one full revolution during each such movement of the arm60.

A brake wheel 86 having an annular groove 88 is fixed to clamp shaft 66by pin 68, and is resiliently engaged by a brake element 90 whichcomprises a generally U-shaped spring fixed to bar 92 and engaging theannular groove 88. Bar 92 is supported on legs 56a and 56b, see FIG. 2.

The arbor 64 includes a winding section 94 which extends from leg 56aacross the path of movement of ribbon through the machine 10. A guidering 96 surrounds the base portion of the free winding end 94 of thearbor and is secured to leg 56a, as by spot-welding. An additional,removable guide ring (not shown) may be placed on end 94 against ring 96when forming bows of narrow ribbon, e.g., ribbon of the width of notches39.

End portion 94 of the arbor 64 is provided with a slot 98 (FIGS. 1, 2and 6) communicating with the center bore 100 in this end portion of thearbor, and this portion of the bore 100 receives the closely fittingcorresponding end 102 of the clamp shaft 66. End 102 is provided with aflattened or key portion 104 positioned so that the resulting open spacethereover in bore 100 communicates with slot 98, note FIG. 7 and thedashed line position of end 102 in FIG. 6, as arbor 64 is rotatedclockwise (with reference to FIG. 6), and the inner end of slot 98 isclosed by the end 102 as the arbor 64 is rotated counterclockwise,within the range of relative movement permitted by the lost motionconnection between arbor 64 and shaft 66. Thus, one end of a length ofribbon may be inserted through slot 98 into bore 100 when the inner endof the slot 98 is open. Thereafter, as the spindle is drivencounterclockwise by driving arbor 64, the ribbon will be engaged betweenthe corner 104a on clamp shaft 66 and the opposing corner of arbor 64 atthe inner end of slot 98 due to the retaining action of element 90 onclamp shaft 66 and the lost motion connection between arbor 64 and shaft66.

The stapler 20 is pivotally mounted at 106 on a stand 108 which issecured on frame 12. The stapler is movable from a retracted position asillustrated in FIG. 1 to a position over winding end 94, as in FIG. 8,wherein the staple-driving mechanism cooperates with a pair of anvilslots 110 in the spindle for driving and clinching staples. A guidemember 112 may be secured to stand 108. Member 112 includes spaced guidearms 114, one on each side of the stapler 20, to guide the stapler as itis :pivoted to its stapling position in registry with the slots 110.

In the operation of the machine 10, a ribbon supply, such as a ribbonspool S is mounted on support element 24, see FIGS. 7 and 8. The stapler20 is moved to its retracted position and arm 60 is moved to its initialposition as shown in FIG. 7. Movement of arm 60 to this position drivesarbor 64 to position the spindle as shown in FIG. 7, with the inner endof slot 98 open, and positions pins 80 and 82 beneath pins 40 and 42 oneither side of arm 44. The precise initial angular positions of arm 60and of spindle 58 are not critical, and in fact will vary somewhataccording to the position of stand 48. Positioning fingers 80 and 82well below fingers 40 and 42 facilitates positioning the ribbontherebetween. Referring to FIG. 7, the ribbon R is threaded through thenotches 38 or 39, depending upon its width, and around the opposite sideof pin 36, between the two sets of fingers 40-42 and 80-82, and thedistal end of the ribbon is inserted through slot 98 into bore 100, overthe fiat face 104 of clamp shaft 66. Thereafter arm 60 is rotated in acounterclockwise direction by the operator, as by grasping the end ofelongated pin 82, to move the pins 80 and 82 counterclockwise alongtheir paths of revolution about the axis of shaft 74. Pins 80 and 82thus move upwardly through a position of interengagement with pins 40and 42 to engage the ribbon positioned between the two sets of pins, anddraw the ribbon into loops as illustrated in FIG. 8 as the pins 80 and82 are moved to their left end position. Simultaneously, the rotationalmovement of arm 60 operates gears 62a-c to drive arbor 64 and rotatespindle 58 through one revolution, counterclockwise in FIG. 8, to form aclosed or 360 loop of ribbon around arbor 64. The lost motion connectionbetween arbor 64 and clamp shaft 66, together with the braking effect ofbrake element 90, insures sufiicient relative movement between the arbor64 and shaft 66 to grip and retain the distal end portion of the ribbonbetween the arbor and the closely fitting corner 194a. Rotation ofspindle 58 thus draws the ribbon through the machine, around the formingpins, during the loop-forming operation. The forming pins 40, 42, 8t)and 82, and pin 36, are provided with smooth, low friction surfaces, ormay comprise rollers, to facilitate this loop-drawing operation. Thepositive, direct gear drive 62ac between arm 60 and arbor 64, togetherwith a fixed stop position of arm 68 (with the curved portion 60aengaging arbor 64 as in FIG. 4), insure that slots 110 are at the top ofarbor 64- in position to cooperate with stapler 20 for applying staplesto the looped ribbon after the loops are formed.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, it will be observed that the ribbon isdisposed over anvil-slots 110 in inserting the distal end into slot 98.This disposition of the end of the ribbon, and subsequent rotation ofspindle 58, forms a circle or 360 loop L of the ribbon R withoverlapping ends of this loop disposed over slots 111). Also, the loopsL L formed by fingers 4 .1, 42, 8t and 82 are positioned with theoverlying connecting leg portions of successive loops disposed overslots 110 as in FIG. 6. Thereupon, the stapler 20 is pivoted intoregistry with slots 118, and a staple T (FIG. 9) is applied by thestapler against the bottom of the anvil slots 111) to secure thejuxtaposed legs of the ribbon loops together and to retain the loops ina decorative article or bow. Prior to driving the staple, appropriatebow-mounting means may be positioned over the formed loops to be securedto the loops by the application of the staple or other securing device.Such bow-mounting means may comprise a paperboard element M (FIG. 9)having a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive and a protective,removable covering therefor on one side, or a length of tie-string, orother appropriate securing means.

Fingers 80 and 82 are in alignment with fingers 40 and 42 when in theend bow-forming position illustrated in FIG. 8, and the fingers areslightly below the top of spindle 58 to properly position the ribbonagainst the spindle. Further, the spindle, and particularly the staplingslots 110, are centered between fingers 42 and 8% whereby a balancedsymmetrical decorative article B, FIG. 9 is formed when the staple isapplied. This balanced result, together with the interengaging orinterdigital relation of pins 40, 42, 80 and 82, is obtained in theillustrated machine by mounting arm 68 for pivotal movement about anaxis offset from the perpendicular bisector of lines joining pins 411and 4-2 and the final positions of pins 82 and pin 81) (left endposition as in FIG. 8), respectively, e.g., offset toward finger 42 froma vertical plane through the axis of spindle 58, as seen in FIG.2.

After the staple T is applied, the stapler is raised, arm 61? is movedclockwise to release the clamped leading end of ribbon R, and the ribbonis severed between the completed article and the supply S. Thereupon thecompleted article B is removed and arm 61) is returned to its startingposition for forming the next article.

Bows having loops L L of various lengths can be produced by varying thespacing of fingers 4t 42, 80 and 82 from the spindle 58. In theillustrated embodiment 11) this is accomplished by adjusting stand 48,relative to spindle 58, on mounting stud 58 and thumbscrew 52, andmoving fingers 3t) and 82 to corresponding openings 78 in arm 60.

Another spindle assembly and drive means for a machine 11 is illustratedin FIGS. -12. In this construction, a ring gear 120 is formed with orsecured to the arm 122 which receives the loop forming pins (not shown).Ring gear 121) engages a gear 124 affixed to the arbor 126. A brakewheel 128 is secured to the clamp shaft 130 and is engaged by brakingelement 132 mounted on bar 134. Arm 122, and gear 120, are supported onhearing 136 which is journaled on bar 132. A lost motion connectionbetween arbor 126 and clamp shaft is effected by a pin 138 secured togear 124 and arbor 126 and extending through an opening 140, ofsubstantially greater diameter than the pin, in clamp shaft 130. Thewinding section of this assembly is the same as spindle 58, as indicatedby the application of the same members to corresponding elements.

Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, themachine 156 includes many elements corresponding to elements alreadydescribed regarding machine 11), but is provided with separate drivemeans for the spindle assembly and the movable forming fingers. In thisembodiment the ribbon supply support 152 includes a generallycylindrical spool-engaging element 154 having slots 156 and 158 ofvarying widths and depths formed in the upper surface. The guide 160includes a stationary block 162, a pivotally-mounted, weighted block1454 and a pin 166. The stationary forming fingers 168 and 176 aremounted on arms 170 and 1'72, which are individually adjustable in aslot 174 on a center spindle support 176. Movable fingers 178 and 180are similarly adjustably mounted in a slot 182 on a pivotally mountedarm 184. Ann 184 is moved in the same manner as arm 68 of machine 111 toform loops of ribbon in producing a decorative article. However, aseparate drive is provided for the spindle assembly 186.

The spindle assembly 186 includes an arbor 188 with a slot 190, and aclamp shaft 192 provided with a slot 194 to selectively communicate withslot 199, within the range of motion of a lost-motion connection (notshown) between arbor 188 and shaft 192, for gripping the ribbon end. Inthe illustrated embodiment, machine 150 is adapted for rotation of thespindle assembly 186 by driving the clamp shaft 192, to provide theself-energizing gripping action more fully described below withreference to machine 10. The drive means for rotating the clamp shaft,and thus the spindle assembly, com-prises a hand wheel 1% affixed to ashaft 198 on which is mounted a gear 201} which meshes with a gear 202on the clamp shaft 192 (see FIG. 12). Appropriate stops, such as a ballor pin and detent (not shown) may be provided to limit the rotation ofwheel 1% to that rotation necessary to insure registry between staplingslots (not shown) in arbor 188 and a staple driver 204.

The machine 150 is operated in substantially the same manner as outlinedabove regarding machine 10, except that separate operations are requiredto rotate wheel 1% and form a center loop L on spindle assembly 186, andto move arm 184 to form loops L L between fingers 168, 170, 178 and 180.The center loop is normally formed first.

Bow-forming machines have thus been provided which are of simple ruggedconstruction, and which are easy and simple to operate, even byunskilled persons, to consistentlyv produce bows having anindividualistic finished appearance. The illustrated embodiments areeconomical to construct and operate and are designed to convenientlyproduce bows with superimposed loops of varying lengths, and a closedcenter loop, in a completed decorative article of distinctive bowdesign. Further, these machines are readily adapted to formation of bowsof various styles and sizes, utilizing ribbon of various widths.

It will be obvious that other modifications of the specific embodimentsillustrated may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthis invention, particularly by those skilled in the art in light of theforegoing teachings. For example, and not by way of limitation, theclamping motion between arbor 64 and shaft 66 can be madeself-energizing by driving the clamp shaft directly instead of thearbor, e.g., by mounting gear 620 on an extended end of the clamp shaftinstead of on the arbor, reversing the size relationship of holes '70and 72 relative to the pin 68, and repositioning shaft 66 for clampingengagement between the edge 1114b and the opposing corner of arbor 64 atthe inner end of slot 98 within the range of lost-motion movement.Further, more or less loop forming fingers may be provided in each set,various drive arrangements, either manual or automatic, separate orintegrated, and various ribbon feed and gripping mechanisms, may beadded or substituted for those illustrated herein, particularly if it isdesired to design an automatic machine, while retaining various featuresof the invention.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it willbe understood, of course, that the invention is not limited theretosince modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teachings. Therefore, it iscontemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications asincorporate those features which may be said to constitute the essentialfeatures of this improvement, within the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. A machine for forming decorative articles comprising a frame, a firstset of fingers mounted in a fixed position on said frame, a second setof fingers, a movable support element mounting said second set offingers for movement in interdigital relation with said first fingersfrom a first position at one side of said first fingers, through aposition of interengagement with said first fingers, to a secondposition on the opposite side of said first fingers to draw ribbonengaged between said fingers into loops of varying length, and firstmeans between said first set of fingers and said second position forretaining an end of such ribbon engaged between said fingers during suchmovement of said movable fingers.

2. A machine as in claim 1, wherein said first means is rotatable, andincluding drive means actuated by movement of said movable fingers fromsaid first position to said second position to rotate said first means.

3. A machine as in claim 2 and wherein said rotatable first meansincludes a pair of concentric members having relative movement forengaging such end of ribbon.

4. A machine as in claim 3 and including a lost motion connectionbetween said pair of members.

5. A machine as in claim 1, wherein said first means comprises a pair ofclosely fitting concentric members mounted for relative rotativemovement with respect to one another and formed with openings andcooperative engaging portions to receive and grip such end of ribbonupon such relative movement, said concentric members being mounted forconjoint rotation to form the end portion of such ribbon into a loop,drive means connected to one of said concentric members for effectingsuch rotation, and means for retarding the rotation of the other of saidconcentric members to eifect such relative rotative movement.

6. A machine for forming decorative articles comprising a frame, a firstset of fingers fixed on said frame, a ribbon supply support fixed onsaid frame on one side of said first fingers, an arm mounted on saidframe for pivotal movement about an axis adjacent said first fingers andon the side thereof opposite said support, a plurality of fingersmounted on said arm for revolution in interdigital relation with saidfirst fingers from a first position on one side of said first fingers,through a position of interengagement with said first fingers, to asecond position on the opposite side of said first fingers as said armis pivoted to form first loops from ribbon positioned between saidfingers when said arm is in said first position, a rotatable ribbongripper disposed between said axis and the path of movement of themovable finger nearest said axis, and between said first fingers andsaid second position of said movable fingers, means operable uponmovement of said arm for rotating said gripper to form a closed loop,and means cooperative with said gether to form a decorative article.

7. A machine for forming decorative articles comprising means forgripping an end of a length of ribbon, a first finger, a movable supportelement mounting said first finger for movement along an arcuate pathabout said gripping means from a first position at one side of saidgripping means to a second position at another side thereof, and asecond finger mounted in a fixed position on said one side of saidgripping means between said gripping means and the portion of said pathof said first finger adjacent said first position, said gripping meansbeing disposed generally on the perpendicular bisector of a line joiningsaid second finger and said first finger when said first finger is insaid second position, said first finger being mounted to provide saidmovement along a path of revolution about an axis which is offsettowards said second finger from said perpendicular bisector and of aradius whereby said first finger and said second finger are spacedsubstantially equal distances from said gripping means when said firstfinger is in said second position, whereby a length of ribbon having oneend engaged by said gripping means and extending between said fingersand across said path of movement of said first finger when said firstfinger is in said first position may be formed into loops ofsubstantially equal lengths of extension from said gripping means assaid first finger is moved along said path to said second position.

8. A machine as in claim 7 and including means cooperative with saidgripping means for securing loops formed by said fingers together.

9. A machine for forming decorative articles comprising rotatable meansfor gripping an end of a length of a ribbon and forming the end portionof such ribbon into a closed loop, a first set of fingers mounted in afixed position on one side of said rotatable gripping means, a secondset of fingers, a movable support element mounting said second set offingers for movement along an arcuate path from a first position at saidone side of said gripping means and at one side of said first fingers,through a position of interdigital engagement with said first fingers,to a second position on the opposite side of said rotatable means todraw ribbon engaged between said fingers into loops of varying lengthsand position said loops adjacent said rotatable means.

10. A machine as in claim 9, and including means cooperative with saidgripping means for securing said loops formed by said rotatable meansand said fingers together.

11. A machine for forming decorative articles comprising a supportframe, a ribbon supply support on said frame, means mounted on saidframe for gripping an end of a length of a ribbon and rotatable to formthe end portion of such ribbon into a closed loop, a first set offingers fixed on said frame between said rotatable gripping means andsaid supply support, a second set of fingers, a movable support elementmounting said second set of fingers for movement along an arcuate pathfrom a first position at said one side of said gripping means and at oneside of said first fingers, through a position of interdigitalengagement with said first fingers, to a second position on the oppositeside of said rotatable means to draw ribbon engaged between said fingersinto loops of varying lengths and position said loops adjacent saidrotatable means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,820 11/1950Cook 223-46 2,905,368 9/1959 Runyan 223--46 JORDAN FRANKLIN, PrimaryExaminer.

G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner.

1. A MACHINE FOR FORMING DECORATIVE ARTICLES COMPRISING A FRAME, A FIRSTSET OF FINGERS MOUNTED IN A FIXED POSITION ON SAID FRAME, A SECOND SETOF FINGERS, A MOVABLE SUPPORT ELEMENT MOUNTING SAID SECOND SET OFFINGERS FOR MOVEMENT IN INTERDIGITAL RELATION WITH SAID FIRST FINGERS,FROM A FIRST POSITION AT ONE SIDE OF SAID FIRST FINGERS, THROUGH APOSITION OF INTERENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FIRST FINGERS, TO A SECONDPOSITION ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID FIRST FINGERS TO DRAW RIBBONENGAGED BETWEEN SAID FINGERS INTO LOOPS OF VARYING LENGTH, AND FIRSTMEANS BETWEEN SAID FIRST SET OF FINGERS AND SAID SECOND POSITION FOR RE-